Inductor.



A. B. HERRICK.

INDUCTOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 1912.

1,177,701. Patented Apr. 4, 1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

Zara g HTToKf EY- Tm! COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co, WASHINGTON. D. C.

A. B. HERRICK.

INDUCTOR.

APPLICATION man MAY 31, 1912.

W/ TA f1S5EJ- THE COLUMBIA mage-GRAPH c0., WASHIPIGTON, D. c.

A. B. HERRICK.

INDUCTOR.

APPLICATION F ILED IIAY3I. I912.

Apr. 11916., a snizirs-suszr 3.

- Patented rill!III/Illlllfflfflllll 'Ilfll'lflll W/T/VESSES: 1 4 6 IUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT B. HERRICK, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T0 MATIE C. MESSLER, 0FPAWTUGKET, RHODE ISLAND.

INDUCTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 4, 1916.

Application filed May 31, 1912. Serial No. 700,594.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT B. HERRIGK, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Inductors, of which thefollowing is a specification, the principle of the invention beingherein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applyingthat principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

The present invention relates to a new and improved method for inducinga current in a coil. The current is induced in an induction coil which,while in construction similar to that now used for the same purpose, istotally different in operation. The present induction coil comprises aniron core surrounded by'primary and secondary windings. It differs fromthe usual armature by being fixed and immovable. A magnet is disposedadjacent to the coil and the current is induced by varying thedisposition of the magnetic circuit both in direction and intensity.Mechanical means are provided for thus shifting the magnetic circuit,and such action may be produced by either rotary or reciprocating motionof a single member.

In order to more clearly bring out the operation of apparatus forinducing a current by my new method, I show the same in. connection witha spark plug adapted to be inserted in the compression chamber of aninternal combustion or explosive engine. In such a device the operatingmember, or means for shifting the magnetic circuit, will preferably beoperated'by the compression in the chamber, both for simplicity ofconstruction and for the purpose of having the movement of such member(and the increase in the intensity of the current) responsive to andfollowing the movement of the piston in the compression chamber.

The induction coil may be designed for either high or low tensioncurrent, and the system Wlll. be provided with means for handlin geither type. That is, it high tension is used, then means must beprovided to break the circuit externally of the cylinder, assumingtheinvention applied to ignition mechanism, while with a low tension thecurrent will be broken in the cylinder. High tension is at present souniversally used on small engines that I have here shown only mechanismadapted to such a system, as that will be my preferred type of ignition.Itwill be obvious, however, that only slight mechanical changes will benecessary to adapt the mechanism to a lowtension system.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detailcertain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed meansconstituting, however, but one of the various mechanical forms in whichthe principle of the invention may be used. In said annexed drawings:Figure 1 is a view in perspective of acoil and magnet illustrating theconstruction of my device in its general form; Fig. 2 is an endelevation of my device applied to an igniter; Fig. 3 is a view similarto Fig 2, but showing the movable member of the igniter in its raisedposition; Figs. 4 and 5 are views in perspective of the movable memberand the induction coil to be used in the igniter; Fig. 6 is adiagrammatic view showing the connections in my device; Fig. 7 is asectional view on the line 77' in Fig. 2; Fig. 8 is a section on theline88 showing the construction of the springs and the contact points ontop of the movable member of my igniter, and Fig. 9 is a centralvertical section of a modification of my device.

In Fig. 1 I show a soft core 1, about which there is wound a primarycoil 2 and a secondary coil 3. On either side of this core are disposedpermanent magnets 1 and 5, and on either end of the core 1 there aremounted arms 6 which are adapted, upon I the other. There is nonecessity for rotating the coil and core to change'the direction of themagnetic flux as this may. be done by merely rotating these arms, or bymoving a suitable connecting member, such as a keeper, which is shown inthe application of my device to ignition mechanism. The

magnetic circuit through the core induces a current in the primary andsecondary coils,

away or slotted, adapting it to receive the brass strips 12 to which areattached a keeper 13. The latter is formed of two spaced horizontalbrass strips 14 and two side iron strips 15 attached to the brassstrips, these last-named strips sliding in the slots in the magnet. Thiskeeper forms the connecting or movable member, referred to in thepreceding paragraphs, for the purpose of shifting the magnetic circuitthrough the induction coil. Around the magnet there is placed analuminum casing 16, and in this casing there is mounted a horizontalshaft 1'7 bearing fixedly thereon an arm 18 which carries a stop 19.Loosely mounted on this shaft is a lever 20 which is attached by meansof a link 21 to the keeper. At one end of the lever 20 is mounted a stubshaft 71 and rotatably carried on such shaft is a second lever 22 havingone end 23 adapted to engage the stop 19 upon being rotated about theshaft 21. The other end of such lever is formed into a latch 24 and isengaged by the spring 25 which is mounted on the block 26 and bears aplatinum contact point 27 adapted to normally engage a similar contactpoint 28 on the member 29, also mounted on said block 26. The engagementof these two points closes the primary circuit. as will be seen in Fig.6.

The induction coil comprises a core 30 (see Figs. 5 and 7), a primarycoil 31 and a high tension secondary coil 32. At either end of the coreis mounted a contact plate 33 having stepped edges as shown. Theinduction coil is placed within the keeper 13 and is fixed by attachingit to the back of the outer aluminum casing. The kepeer 13 is hollow, asshown, and on its inside has steps 84 adapted to engage the steps on thecore. It will be noticed that the steps on the keeper are disposed sothat in either upper or lower position of the latter there will be acontact between the same and thecore although the circuit will bedifferent in such two positions. In the upper position of the keeper thedisposition of the magnetic circuit is indicated by the arrows 40, inthe lower position of the keeper the magnetic circuit is indicated bythe arrows 41.

The casing 16 terminates in a collar 42 engaging the casing 43 of aspark plug which is adapted to engage an engine cylinder 44 (see Figs. 2and 3). The spark plug casing is apertured at its lower end and containsa piston member 45 slidable-in such aperture. Such piston is extended topermit of attachment to the keeper and will be operated by thecompression in the engine cylinder, as will be readily understood. Inthis way the action of the keeper can be made to follow the movement ofthe'engine piston.

Attached to the coil is a. tube 46 which passes through the piston andforms a guide for the same. This tube incloses the lead wire 47 from thesecondary coil to the spark plug terminal 48. The other wire 49 from thesecondary coil is grounded on the engine cylinder and the connection tothe other terminal 50 is through this ground. The piston and tube areinsulated from the plug casing by suitable packing in the usual manner.

In order to return the keeper to its lower position I employ an ellipticspring 51 which rests on the top of the keeper. In the top of'the brassstrip in the magnet is a threaded aperture engaged by a brass tube 52which bears on the top of the elliptic spring. The tube 52 has a squareaperture therein engaged by a rod 53 extending through an aperture inthe top of the keeper and having a stop 54 on its lower end adapted toengage the keeper when such rod is lifted. thereby raising the keeper.On the top of the rod is a handle 56. By rotating this handle the tubeis rotated thus moving it vertically and increasing or decreasing thetension on the spring 51, as desired. In this way the movement of thekeeper may be to some extent controlled and the device adapted tocompression of the engine to which it is' attached.

In operation the igniter may be set to give a spark at any desired pointin the. cycle by controlling the movement of the keeper through thespring 51 and by setting the stop 19, by rotating the arm 18 by means ofthe crank 57 which projects beyond the casing. As the engine pistoncompresses the gas the piston in the spark plug is forced upward. suchmovement beginning only when the pressure in the cylinder is greaterthan the pressure of the spring 51, and the pull of the magnets. Thekeeper is thus raised to its upper position, thus raising lever 20 whichrotates about the shaft 17. Such movement causes upward movement of thelever 22, the end 24 being held fixed by the spring 25. hen the end 23strikes the stop 19, the lever 22 will pivot about this point. thusraising the spring 25 and separating the contact points 27 and 28. Thisbreaks the circuit and permits the current which'has been induced toflow to the terminals of the spark plug and fire the compressed gas.This is the mechanical operation of the device. The electrical operationis more clearly shown by starting with the action when the keeper isbeginning its (i and need. no further explanation.

ef'licient action.

downward movement. As the keeper moves downward a current is induced inthe 0011s.

The circuit is closed at this time, however,

as shown inFig. 6. As the keeper reaches the lower position and is movedupward the magnetic circuit is shifted and the direction of the lines offorce in the" coil is changed. The current is built up by what wasinduced during the downward movement and while slow to reach its maximumstrength, were the movement of the keeper continued, this is effected byopening the circuit by breaking the contact points 27 and 2S and astrong spark is obtained across the spark plug terminals. The wiringconnections are readily seen from Fig.

1%. condenser 70 of the usual type is shown con nected across theprimary coil.

In Fig. 9 there is shown a modified "form of spark plug which may beused if desired. In such form the piston 60 is disposed in an onsetchamber 61. connected by a passage 62 with the aperture 63 in the plugproper. The tube 6% containing the wire from the coil passes through thekeeper as in my preferred form. In other respects the modified form issubstantially like the preferred construction. It is possible in eitherform to form a chamber 65 as in Fig. 9, between the piston and the rearof the chamber, in order to utilize the compression of the air thereinto assist in forcing the piston and keeper to the lower position.

The advantages of my apparatus are its extreme simplicity, few movingparts and The spark obtained is strong and the operation is automaticand not liableto get out of order. When applied to ignition mechanism, aseparate device will be attached to each cylinder, but the shaft 17 becontinued through the alined devices in order to permit of simultaneousand equal spark advance on all cylinders by movement of a single lever.A spark may be secured in the cylinder by simply pulling up the handle56, and the device may be adjusted to any engine by changing thepressure on the spring 51 in the manner indicated, or by shifting the advance lever.

The features of my invention to which I desire to call particularattention, are my improved method of inducing a current in a coil, thesimple and'eiilcient apparatus for producing a high tension current foran engine operated by the compression. of the engine or in some othermanner, and the general construction of the specific igniter here shown.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanismherein disclosed, provided' the means stated by any of the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as myinvention 1. The combination of a spark plug; an induction coilconnected to said plug; the circuit through the coil being normallyclosed; mechanical means operable by the compression in the enginecylinder for shifting the lines of force and thereby inducing a currentin said coil and simultaneously breaking said circuit; and other meansadapted to vary the pressure required to operate said first-named means.

2. Thecombination oi? a spark plug; an induction coil connected. to saidplug; the circuit through the coil being normally closed; a. movablekeeper operable by the compression in the engine cylinder for shiftingthe lines of force and thereby inducing a current in said coil andsimultaneously breaking said circuit; and means adapted to vary thepressure required to operate said keeper.

3. The combination of a spark plug hav-- ing-an aperture therein; amovable member mounted in such aperture and operable by the compressionin the engine cylinder; an induction coil connected to said plug, thecircuit through the coil being normally closed; a movable keeperattached to and operable by said member for shifting the lines or" forceand thereby inducing a current in said coil, and simultaneously breakingsaid circuit; and means adapted to vary the pressure required to operatesaid keeper.

l. The combination of a spark plug having an aperture therein; a mo ablemember mounted in such aperture and operable by the compression in theengine cylinder; an induction coil connected to said plug; a movablecontact member in said circuit and normally closing the same; a magneticcir cuit through said induction coil and a movable keeper operable bysaid movable mem her for shifting said magnetic circuit through saidcoil, thereby inducing'a current and simultaneously moving said contactmember thereby breaking the electrical circuit.

The combination of a spark plug having an aperture therein; a pistoninounted in such aperture and operable by the compression in the enginecylinder; an induction coil connected to said plug; a movable resilientcontact member in such circuit and normally closing the same throughsaidcoil; a magnetic circuit through said induction coil; a. movable keeperoperable by said piston for shifting the magnetic circuit through saidcoil; a pivotally mounted member having one end connected at its axis tosaid keeper and operable thereby; one end of said member engaging saidresilient contact member; and a stop adapted to engage the other end ofsaid pivotally mounted member, upon the raising of the same by saidkeeper, whereby said contact member is actuated to break said circuit.

6. The combination of a spark plug having an aperture therein; a pistonmounted in such aperture and operable by the compression in the enginecylinder; an induction coil connected to said plug; a movable resilientcontact member in such circuit and normally closing the same throughsaid coil; a magnetic circuit through said induction coil; a movablekeeper operable by said piston for shifting the magnetic circuit throughsaid coil; a pivotally mounted member having one end connected at itsaxis to said keeper and operable thereby; one end of said memberengaging said resilient contact member; a stop adapted to engage theother end of said pivotally mounted member, upon the raising of the sameby said keeper, whereby said contact member is actuated to break saidcircuit; and means for adjusting the position of said stop.

7. The combination of a spark plug having an aperture therein; a pistonmounted in such aperture and operable by the com-- pression in theengine cylinder; an induction coil connected to said plug; a movableresilient contact member in such circuitand normally closing the samethrou h said coil; a magnetic circuit through said induction coil; amovable keeper operable by said piston for shifting the magnetic circuitthrough said coil; a pivotally mounted member having one end connectedat its axis to said keeper and operable thereby; one end of said memberengaging said resilient contact member; a stop adapted to engage theother end of said pivotally mounted member, upon the raising of the samebv said keeper, whereby said contact member is actuated to break saidcircuit; means for adjusting the position of said stop; and meansadapted to retain said keeper in its normal position.

8. The combination of a spark plug having an aperture therein; a pistonmounted in such aperture and operable by the compression in the enginecylinder; an induction coil connected to said plug; a movable resilientcontact member in such circuit and normally closing the same throu hsaid coil; a magnetic circuit through said induction coil; a movablekeeper operable by said piston for shifting the magnetic circuit throughsaid coil; a pivotally mounted member having one end connected at itsaxis to said keeper and operable thereby; one end of said memberengaging said resilient conpression in the engine cylinder; an inductioncoil connected to said plug; a movable resilient contact member in suchcircuit and normally closing the same through said coil; a magneticcircuit through said induction coil; a movable keeper operable by saidpiston for shifting the magnetic circuit through said coil; a pivotallymounted member having one end connected at its axis to said keeper andoperable thereby; one end of said member engaging said resilient contactmember; a stop adapted to engage the other end of said pivotally mountedmember, upon the raising of the same by said keeper, whereby saidcontact member is actuated to break said circuit; and means for manuallybreaking said electrical circuit when desired.

10. The combination of a spark plug having an aperture therein; a pistonmounted in such aperture and operable by the compression in the enginecylinder; an induction coil connected to said plug; a movable resilientcontact member in such circuit and normally closing the same throughsaid coil; a magnetic circuit through said induction coil; a movablekeeper operable by said piston for shifting the magnetic circuit throughsaid coil; a pivotally mounted member having one end connected at itsaxis to said keeper and operable thereby; one end of said memberengaging'said resilient contact member; a stop adapted to engage theother end of said pivotally mounted member, upon the raising of the sameby said keeper, whereby said contact member is actuated to break saidcircuit; and means for manually operating said keeper when desired.

Signed by me this 28 day of Way, 1912.

ALBERT B. HERHICK.

Attested by Honacn B. FAY, D. T. DAvins.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

